Indoor-outdoor detector for digital cameras

ABSTRACT

An indoor-outdoor detection method includes constructing a first indoor-outdoor detector; and constructing a second indoor-outdoor detector. A normalized brightness of a subject image is determined and a comparison result is generated based on the determined normalized brightness and a threshold brightness value. One of the first detector or the second detector is selectively applied to the subject image based on the comparison result, and a detection result is generated. Image signal processing is performed on the subject image based on the detection result.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/272,944, filed Nov. 23, 2009 the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Example embodiments relate to indoor-outdoor detection and control mechanisms for image signal processing in digital cameras.

2. Description of Related Art

Example embodiments are related to the filed of digital cameras for mobile devices. More particularly, example embodiments are related to the field of control mechanisms for white-balance, color correction matrix selection, and chromatic aberration reduction.

The color associated with an object in digital mobile cameras is not constant, and may depend on illuminant color, viewing conditions, and miscellaneous sensor parameters. The indoor-outdoor distinction strongly affects further image signal processing (ISP). An indoor image that is erroneously processed as an outdoor image and vice versa may appear with multiple artifacts such as color cast, unnatural colors, and chromatic aberrations.

Conventional indoor-outdoor detectors are based on topological, geometrical, and hierarchical texture features. These detectors often involve cluster-based image segmentation technologies, which consume a great deal of time and memory for small mobile phone cameras. However these techniques make a huge impact on image quality as is reflected in typical consumer digital stills cameras.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments provide an indoor-outdoor detection method. The method may include constructing a first indoor-outdoor detector; constructing a second indoor-outdoor detector; determining a normalized brightness of a subject image; generating a comparison result based on the determined normalized brightness and a threshold brightness value; selectively applying one of the first detector or the second detector to the subject image and generating a detection result, based on the comparison result; and performing image signal processing on the subject image based on the detection result.

Selectively applying one of the first detector and the second detector may include applying the first detector if the normalized brightness of the subject image exceeds the threshold brightness value and applying the second detector if the normalized brightness of the subject image is less than or equal to the threshold brightness value, the first indoor-outdoor detector being a high brightness indoor-outdoor detector, the second indoor-outdoor detector being a low brightness indoor-outdoor detector.

The method may further include determining image statistics for each of a plurality of training images, the determined image statistics including whether each training image is an indoor image or an outdoor image, a normalized brightness of each training image, a first illumination point of each training image, and second illumination points of each training image.

Constructing the first indoor-outdoor detector may include constructing a training image scatter plot by determining, for each of the plurality of training images, a difference between first and second chromatic values based on the second illumination point of the training image, and plotting each of the plurality of training images on the training image scatter plot based on the calculated difference value and the normalized brightness of each training image.

Applying the first indoor-outdoor detector may include determining a normalized brightness of the subject image; determining a first illumination point of the subject image and a second illumination point for the subject image, and determining a difference between third and fourth chromatic values of the subject image based on the second illumination point of the subject image.

Generating the detection result may include generating the detection result based on comparing the normalized brightness value and the difference value the subject image with the training images plotted on the training image scatter plot.

Constructing the second indoor-outdoor detector may include constructing a classifier by training the classifier based on the determined image statistics of each of the plurality of training images.

The determined image statistics may further include, for each of the plurality of training images, a plurality of gray points of the training image, a gamut height of the training image, and a gamut width of the training image.

Applying the second indoor-outdoor detector may include determining image statistics of the subject image, applying the classifier to the image statistics of the subject image, and generating an output from the classifier based on the image statistics of the subject image.

Generating the detection result may include generating the detection result indicating that the subject image is an indoor image if the output of the classifier is negative, and generating the detection result indicating the subject image is an outdoor image if the output of the classifier is positive.

Performing the image signal processing on the subject image may include determining an outdoor weight value based on the output of the classifier.

Performing the image signal processing on the subject image may further include performing, based on the outdoor weight value, at least one of auto white balancing, color correction matrix formation, gamma correction, and chromatic aberrations correction.

The first and second chromatic values may be a red chromatic value and blue chromatic value, respectively.

The third and fourth chromatic values may be a red chromatic value and blue chromatic value, respectively.

The first and second chromatic values may be, for example, a red chromatic value and blue chromatic value, respectively, which are used for training procedure.

The third and fourth chromatic values may be, for example, a red chromatic value and blue chromatic value, respectively, which are used for indoor-outdoor detection procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of example embodiments will become more apparent by describing in detail example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. The accompanying drawings are intended to depict example embodiments and should not be interpreted to limit the intended scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.

FIG. 1A illustrates an image sensor according to example embodiments.

FIG. 1B illustrates an imaging system according to example embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an image processor included in the imaging system of FIG. 1 according to example embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of constructing a high-brightness indoor-outdoor detector (IOD).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an image which has been divided into patches using a regular grid.

FIG. 5 illustrates a gray zone gamut in a normalized (Rn,Bn) color space.

FIG. 6 is another illustration of the normalized (Rn,Bn) color space illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7. illustrates an example of a scatter plot formed based on the normalized brightness values Nbr and the chromacity difference values ΔRB of a plurality of training images.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of constructing a low-brightness IOD.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the CFA used in the imaging array 110.

FIG. 10 illustrates disparity zone locations over a frame of captured image.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of using the high-brightness and low-brightness IODs according to example embodiments in order to detect whether a subject image is an indoor image or an outdoor image.

FIG. 12 illustrates a receiver operation curve (ROC) for an IOD according to example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of example embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional architecture for a complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a timing unit or circuit 106 controls a line driver 102 through one or more control lines CL. In one example, the timing unit 106 causes the line driver 102 to generate a plurality of read and reset pulses. The line driver 102 outputs the plurality of read and reset pulses to a pixel array 100 on a plurality of read and reset lines RRL.

The pixel array 100 includes a plurality of pixels P arranged in an array of rows ROW_1-ROW_N and columns COL_1-COL_N. Each of the plurality of read and reset lines RRL corresponds to a row of pixels P in the pixel array 100. In FIG. 1A, each pixel P may be an active-pixel sensor (APS), and the pixel array 100 may be an APS array. Pixels P are each capable of receiving light and generating an electrical signal based on the received light.

In more detail with reference to example operation of the image sensor in FIG. 1, read and reset pulses for an ith row ROW_i (where i={1, . . . , N}). of the pixel array 100 are output from the line driver 102 to the pixel array 100 via an ith of the read and reset lines RRL. In one example, the line driver 102 applies a reset signal to the ith row ROW_i of the pixel array 100 to begin an exposure period. After a given, desired or predetermined exposure time, the line driver 102 applies a read signal to the same ith row ROW_i of the pixel array to end the exposure period. The application of the read signal also initiates reading out of pixel information (e.g., exposure data) from the pixels P in the ith row ROW_i.

The pixel array 110 may also include a color filter array (CFA) following a Bayer pattern. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the CFA used in the imaging array 110. As indicated in FIG. 9, the CFA may use a 2×2 cell pattern including a red cell R, a blue cell B, and two green cells, Gr and Gb.

The analog to digital converter (ADC) 104 converts the output voltages from the ith row of readout pixels into a digital signal, D_(out). The ADC 104 may perform this conversion either serially or in parallel. For example, an ADC 104 having a column parallel-architecture converts the output voltages into a digital signal in parallel.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an electronic imaging system 800 according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the electronic imaging system 800 may include, for example, a processor 802, an image sensor 801, and a display 804 which may communicate with each other via a bus 806. The processor 802 is configured to execute a program and control the electronic system. The image sensor 801 is configured to capture image data by converting optical images into electrical signals. The image sensor 801 may be an image sensor as described above with regard to FIG. 1A. The processor 802 also processes the captured image data for storage in a memory (not shown) and/or display by the display 804. The electronic system may be connected to an external device (e.g., a personal computer or a network) through an input/output device (not shown) and may exchange data with the external device.

For example, the electronic system shown in FIG. 1B may embody various electronic control systems including an image sensor (e.g., a digital camera), and may be used in, for example, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, netbooks, MP3 players, navigation devices, household appliances, or any other device utilizing an image sensor or similar device.

The processor 802 is capable or receiving, from the image sensor 801, digital image data. The image processor is capable of performing image processing operations on the digital image data and outputting a processed image. The image processor 802 will be discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the processor 802 included in the imaging system 800 in greater detail. The processor 802 may include, for example, an auto white balancing (AWB) unit 210 for applying white balancing functions to the captured image, a color correction matrix (CCM) unit 220 for applying color correction matrix functions to the digital image data, a gamma correction unit (230) for applying gamma correction functions the digital image data, a chromatic aberrations unit 240 to reduce or eliminate chromatic aberration in the digital image data. The processor 802 may also include a CPU/controller 250 for controlling the operations of the AWB unit 210, CCM unit 220, gamma correction unit 230 and chromatic aberrations unit 240.

The CPU/controller 250 may implement an indoor outdoor detection function for the image data. The CPU/controller 250 may receive the digital image data from the image sensor 801 and may generate a determination regarding whether the image data represents an image taken outside or indoors. The CPU/controller 250 may also generate an outdoor weight value, W_(b), as a representation of the degree to which image data is considered outdoor image data. The CPU/controller 250 may control the operation of one or more of the AWB unit 210, CCM unit 220, gamma correction unit 230 and chromatic aberrations unit 240 based on the outdoor weight value, W_(b).

Below, methods for constructing indoor outdoor detectors will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 3-10 and methods for performing indoor-outdoor detection will be discussed with reference to FIG. 11. Next methods for generating the outdoor weight value, W_(b), and performing image processing based on the outdoor weight value will be discussed.

Constructing Indoor-Outdoor Detectors

According to example embodiments, indoor-outdoor detection may be performed on video streamed images in order to determine whether the streamed images are outdoor or indoor images. According to example embodiments, indoor-outdoor detection may be performed with the use of two different indoor-outdoor detectors (IODs), a high-brightness IOD and a low-brightness IOD. The IODs may be implemented by, for example, the CPU/controller 250 illustrated in FIG. 2. The IODs may be constructed, for example, in an offline process.

The detector used to perform the indoor outdoor detection may be selected based on a brightness level of a subject image. For example, a high brightness IOD may be used to perform indoor-outdoor detection for images having a high brightness level and a low brightness IOD may be used to perform indoor outdoor detection for images having a low brightness level.

Methods for constructing a high-brightness IOD will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 3-7.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of constructing a high-brightness IOD. In step S310, a plurality of training images is obtained. For each of the training images, it is known whether the training image is an outdoor image or an indoor image.

In step S320, image statistics are calculated for each of the training images obtained in step S310. In particular a normalized brightness value Nbr and a chromacity difference value ΔRB are calculated. Step S320 will be explained in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4-6. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an image which has been divided into patches using a regular grid. FIG. 5 illustrates a gray zone gamut in a normalized (Rn,Bn) color space. FIG. 6 is another illustration of a normalized (Rn,Bn) color space illustrated in FIG. 5. In step 320, a normalized brightness, Nbr is calculated for each training image using equation (1).

$\begin{matrix} {{Nbr} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i,j}\left( {R + G + B} \right)}{WHEG}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

The value i,j is the image coordinate; R,G,B is the image value at coordinate i,j; W is the image width; H is the image height; E is the capture exposure; and G is the analog gain for this capture.

Next, an illumination point (IP) is calculated for each training image with respect to a normalized (Rn,Bn) color space. In the normalized (Rn,Bn) color space, normalized red chromacity values Rn and normalized blue chromacity values Bn may be defined by equations (2) and (3), respectively.

$\begin{matrix} {{Rn} = {2048\frac{R}{R + G + B}}} & (2) \\ {{Bn} = {2048\frac{B}{R + G + B}}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

In order to calculate the illumination point, the original image is divided into patches using a regular grid as illustrated in FIG. 4. Next, for each patch (i,j), normalized red chromacity average values Rn(i,j) may be calculated according to equation (4), and normalized blue chromacity average values Bn(I,j) may be calculated according to equation (5), where summation

$\sum\limits_{i,j}X$ denotes summation over channel X inside patch (i,j).

$\begin{matrix} {{{Rn}\left( {i,j} \right)} = {2048\frac{\sum\limits_{i,j}R}{{\sum\limits_{i,j}R} + {\sum\limits_{i,j}G} + {\sum\limits_{i,j}B}}}} & (4) \\ {{{Bn}\left( {i,j} \right)} = {2048\frac{\sum\limits_{i,j}B}{{\sum\limits_{i,j}R} + {\sum\limits_{i,j}G} + {\sum\limits_{i,j}B}}}} & (5) \end{matrix}$

These patch average values Rn(i,j), Bn(i,j), are filtered using the indoor gray zone, zone 1, displayed in FIG. 4. The indoor gray zone 1 illustrated in FIG. 4 is device dependent and tuned once per sensor modification. The patch average values passed through the filter are denoted as gray points (GPs). An average over GPs is used to obtain an illumination point IP=(IP_(r),IP_(b)) according to equations (6) and (7) below where #G denotes the number of GPs (i.e., patches passed gray zones).

$\begin{matrix} {{IP}_{r} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i,{j \in G}}{{Rn}\left( {i,j} \right)}}{\# G}} & (6) \\ {{IP}_{b} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i,{j \in G}}{{Bn}\left( {i,j} \right)}}{\# G}} & (7) \end{matrix}$

Using the illumination point, the final illumination point (FIP) is calculated as (FIP_(r),FIP_(b)) according to equations (8) and (9).

$\begin{matrix} {{FIP}_{r} = \frac{{192{IP}_{r}} + {64{MGP}}}{256}} & (8) \\ {{FIP}_{b} = \frac{{192{IP}_{b}} + {64{MGP}}}{256}} & (9) \end{matrix}$

The middle gamut point (MGP) is evaluated as follows. Two auxiliary points, which are denoted as near R-point (NRP) and near B-point (NBP) are calculated over the total amount of all GPs. Point NRP is the GP point the closest to point IntersR shown in FIG. 5 and point NBP is the GP point closest to point IntersB shown in FIG. 5. Points IntersR and IntersB illustrated in FIG. 5 are the points where a white locus line 410 intersects the normalized blue chromacity (Bn) axis and the normalized red chromacity (Rn) axis, respectively. Accordingly, the MGP may be defined by equation (10) below.

$\begin{matrix} {{MGP} = \frac{{NRP} + {NBP}}{2}} & (10) \end{matrix}$

FIG. 6 is another illustration of the normalized (Rn,Bn) color space. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the point NRP may also be an average of, for example, the three GPs nearest point A. Further, the point NBP may also be an average of, for example, the three GPs nearest a point B. FIG. 6 also illustrates a near-0 points, NOP, and Near-F points, NFP representing gray points nearest the lower-left most and upper-right most points in the normalized (Rn,Bn) color space.

Returning to step S320 in FIG. 3, once the FIP (FIP_(r), FIP_(b)) is calculated, a chromacity difference value, ΔRB, representing a difference between red and blue chromatic values for the image can be calculated according to equation (11) below. ΔRB=FIP_(r)−FIP_(b)  (11)

Next, in step S330, each training image is plotted on a graph based on the normalized brightness value Nbr and the chromacity difference value ΔRB calculated in step S320. Step S330 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates a scatter plot 700 which is an example of a scatter plot formed based on the normalized brightness values Nbr and the chromacity difference values ΔRB for a plurality of training images. Referring to FIG. 7, the circled points represent training images which are known to be outdoor images. The points that are not circled represent training images which are known to be indoor images. FIG. 7 also illustrates an upper brightness threshold, T_(max), and a lower brightness threshold, T₀ which will be discussed in greater detail below.

Next, in step S340 left and right segments are defined in the scatter plot generated in step S340. Referring again to FIG. 7, in step S340 a left segment, BorderL, and a right segment, BorderR are defined. Segments BorderL and BorderR are tunable and are selected with respect to the specific sensor data. With reference to scatter plot 700, it is desirable to select segments BorderL and BorderR so that plots representing outdoors image data will be inside segments BorderL and BorderR and plots representing indoor image data will outside the segments. The misclassification rate is selected according to a user's preferences.

Once the left and right segments, BorderL and BorderR, are defined, the scatter plot 700 can be used as a high-brightness IOD. Methods for using scatter plot 700 as a high-brightness IOD will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 11.

Methods for constructing a low-brightness IOD will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 8-10. FIG. 8 illustrates a method of constructing a low-brightness IOD. According to example embodiments, the low-brightness IOD may be a gentle boost classifier. The gentle boost classifier will be discussed in greater detail below. In step S810, a plurality of training images is obtained. For each of the training images, it is known whether the training image is an outdoor image or an indoor image.

In step S820 image statistics are calculated for each of the training images obtained in step S810 in order to form the features which will be used to train the gentle boost classifier. Below, 17 example features are described.

Feature 1 may be a normalized brightness Nbr of the training image calculated using equation (1).

Features 2 and 3 may be the coordinates Rn and Bn, respectively, of the nearest-R point NRP of the training image, as discussed above with reference to step S320 in FIG. 3.

Features 4 and 5 may be the coordinates Rn and Bn, respectively, of the nearest-B point NBP of the training image, as discussed above with reference to step S320 in FIG. 3.

Features 6 and 7 may be the coordinates Rn and Bn of the middle gamut point MGP of the training image calculated using equation (10).

Feature 7 may be a gamut width, GamWid of the training image. The gamut width GamWid may be calculated by determining the distance between the nearest-R point, NRP, and the nearest-B point, NBP discussed above with reference to step S320 in FIG. 3.

Feature 8 may be a gamut height, GamHei of the training image. The gamut height GamHei may be calculated by determining the distance between the nearest-Far point, NFP, and the nearest-0 point, NOP discussed above with reference to step S320 in FIG. 3.

Feature 9 may be a chromacity difference value ΔRB of the training image calculated using equation (11).

Feature 10 may be a read blue disparity calculated using equation (13) below.

$\begin{matrix} {D_{rb} = {1024\frac{{\sum\limits_{GP}{Rn}} - {\sum\limits_{GP}{Bn}}}{{\sum\limits_{GP}{Rn}} + {\sum\limits_{GP}{Bn}}}}} & (12) \end{matrix}$

Feature 11 may be a Green the G-illumination point calculated using equation (13) below. FIP_(g)=2048−FIP_(r)−FIP_(b)  (13)

Features 12-16 are associated with a green disparity value, D_(p). As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to example embodiments, images captured by the imaging system 100 are captured using a the imaging array 110 which includes a CFA. The CFA included in the imaging array 110 uses a 2×2 Bayer patter containing red, blue and two green cells, which are denoted as Gr and Gb as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Since light penetration into silicon depends on light wavelength the difference between Gr and Gb values is an additional feature called green disparity. With respect to the incident angle, green disparity is mapped into five zones, as displayed in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 illustrates disparity zone locations over a frame of captured image. Referring to FIG. 10, the five zones include a cross zone located in the middle of the frame, a top zone, a right zone, a bottom zone and a left zone.

For each zone, green disparity D_(p) is calculated using equation (14) below where pε{cross, top, bottom, left, right} and summation provided for all patches inside the zone.

$\begin{matrix} {D_{p} = {1024\frac{\sum\limits_{p}\left( {G_{r} - G_{b}} \right)}{\sum\limits_{p}\left( {R - B} \right)}}} & (14) \end{matrix}$

Features 12-16 may be the green disparity according to the cross zone, top zone, right zone, bottom zone and a left zone, respectively.

The process for determining which zone a given patch of a captured image belongs in will now be discussed. The green disparity zones illustrated in FIG. 10 are calculated using a signed patch distance from the major image diagonal D_(ma), and the minor image diagonal D_(mi) according to equations (15) and (16), respectively below.

$\begin{matrix} {{D_{ma}\left( {x,y} \right)} = \frac{\left( {{yW} - {xH}} \right)}{\sqrt{W^{2} + H^{2}}}} & (15) \\ {{D_{mi}\left( {x,y} \right)} = \frac{{yW} + {xH} - {WH}}{\sqrt{W^{2} + H^{2}}}} & (16) \end{matrix}$

Referring to equations (15) and (16), the coordinates (x,y) may denote the central coordinate of the patch, W is the image width, and H is the image height. If min(|D_(mi)|,|D_(ma)|)≦0.05 min(W,H), it is assumed that the patch belongs to the cross zone. If the patch satisfies the predicate (0.4 W≦x≦0.6 W)&(0.4 H≦y≦0.6 H), it is assumed that the patch belongs to the cross zone. If the patch does not belong to a cross zone, the zone to which the patch belongs may be calculated according to equation (17) below in accordance with the {Bottom, Left, Right, Top} order.

$\begin{matrix} {N_{z} = {\left( {1 - {{sign}\mspace{14mu}\left( D_{ma} \right)}} \right) + \frac{\left( {1 - {{sign}\mspace{14mu}\left( D_{mi} \right)}} \right)}{2}}} & (17) \end{matrix}$

Feature 17 may an average green disparity calculated according to equation (18) below.

$\begin{matrix} {{Da} = \frac{\sum\limits_{p = 1}^{5}{D_{p}}}{5}} & (18) \end{matrix}$

Returning to FIG. 8, in step S830, the gentle boost classifier is built based on the features collected for each training image in step S820. The features collected in step S820 may be stored in, for example, an annotated image database. In step S830, the features collected in step S820 are used to train the gentle boosting classifier. The gentle boosting classifier may be expressed according to equation (19) below.

$\begin{matrix} {F = {{{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{N}{a_{i}\left( {\varphi_{i} > t_{i}} \right)}} + b_{i}} = {B + {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{N}{a_{i}\left( {\varphi_{i} > t_{i}} \right)}}}}} & (19) \end{matrix}$

Referring to equation (17), N may represent the number of rounds, φ_(i) may represent the value of the feature, when using round i, t_(i) may represent a threshold, and a_(i) may represent the round weight. According to example embodiments, the process of constructing the low-brightness IOD in the form of a gentle boosting classifier as described in FIG. 8 may be performed offline. The parameters (φ_(i),a_(i),t_(i)), i=1 . . . N may be adjusted offline during the classifier construction stage according to know methods.

Once the classifier is trained using the features collected for each of the training images in step S820, the classifier can be used as a low-brightness IOD. Methods for using the classifier as a low-brightness IOD will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 11.

Performing Indoor Outdoor Detection

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method for using the high-brightness and low-brightness IODs according to example embodiments in order to detect whether a subject image is an indoor image or an outdoor image. The method illustrated in FIG. 11 may be executed by, for example, the CPU/controller 250 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 11, in step S1110, a normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image may be calculated using equation (1). According to example embodiments, the normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image may be used to determine whether the subject image is a low-brightness image or a high-brightness image.

In step S1115, the normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image determined in step S1110 may be compared to a brightness threshold value, T₀. The threshold value T₀ represents a lower threshold for a normalized brightness Nbr value of the subject image. The threshold value T₀ may be tuned according to a user's specification. If the normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image is greater than T₀, method proceeds to step S1135.

In step S1135, the normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image is compared to a second brightness threshold value T_(max). The threshold T_(max) represents an upper threshold for a normalized brightness Nbr value of the subject image. The threshold value T_(max) may be tuned according to a user's specification. If the normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image is not greater than T_(max), the subject may be determined to be a low-brightness image and the method proceeds to step S1120.

In step S1120, a chromacity difference value ΔRB may be determined using equation (11) in the manner discussed above with reference to FIG. 3.

In step S1125, the chromacity difference value ΔRB calculated in step S1120 and the normalized brightness Nbr calculated in step S1110 may be compared to the high-brightness IOD 700 illustrated in FIG. 7. The normalized brightness Nbr and chromacity difference value ΔRB may be compared with the left and right segments of the high-brightness IOD 700.

In step S1130, the subject image is determined to be an indoor image or an outdoor image based on the comparison in step S1125. For example, if the normalized brightness Nbr and chromacity difference value ΔRB of the subject image fall in between the left and right segments of the high-brightness IOD 700, BorderL and BorderR, the subject image may be determined to be an outdoor image. If the normalized brightness Nbr and chromacity difference value ΔRB of the subject image fall outside the left and right segments of the high-brightness IOD 700, BorderL and BorderR, the subject image may be determined to be an indoor image.

Returning to step S1135, if in step S1135 If the normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image is greater that the brightness threshold T_(max), the method proceeds to step S1140.

In step S1140, the subject image is determined to be an outdoor image based n the normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image exceeding the upper threshold T_(max).

Returning to step S1115, if in step S1115, the normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image is not greater than the lower threshold T₀, the subject image is determined to be a low-brightness image and the method proceeds to step S1145.

In step S1145, image features are collected for the subject image. The image features collected in step S1145 may include, for example, all of the 17 features described above with reference to FIG. 8, or any subset thereof.

In step S1150, the features collected in step S1145 are applied to low-brightness IOD represented by the classifier function (19) according to known methods.

In step S1155, the subject image may be determined to be an indoor image or an outdoor image based on the output of the classifier, F. For example, if F is positive value, the subject image may be determined to be an outdoor scene, and if F is negative, the subject image may be determined to be an indoor scene.

According to example embodiments, the normalized brightness values Nbr of a subject image may be used to determine whether to use the high-brightness IOD 700 or the low-brightness IOD represented by equation (19). Accordingly, by choosing a detection method based on the normalized brightness Nbr of the subject image, indoor-outdoor detection may be performed with a higher degree of accuracy.

Next, calculating the outdoor weight for use in image processing in accordance with example embodiments will be discussed.

Calculating Outdoor Weight Value

According to example embodiments, the outdoor weight value W_(b) of a subject image may be calculated, for example, one of three different ways depending on a normalized brightness level of the subject image, the lower and upper brightness thresholds T₀ and T_(max), and an outdoor weight transition ramp Δ_(N).

If Nbr≧T₀+Δ_(N), a high-brightness outdoor weight W_(b) ^(High) is used; if Nbr≦T₀−Δ_(N), a low-brightness outdoor weight W_(b) ^(Low) is used; and if T₀−Δ_(N)<Nbr<T₀+Δ_(N), a combination of the low-brightness outdoor weight W_(b) ^(Low) and the high-brightness outdoor weight W_(b) ^(High) are used.

Accordingly, the final outdoor weight W_(b) may be expressed according to equation (20) below.

$\begin{matrix} {W_{b} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} {W_{b}^{Low},{{{if}\mspace{14mu}{Nbr}} \leq {T_{0} - \Delta_{N}}}} \\ {\frac{{\left( {{Nbr} - T_{0} + \Delta_{N}} \right)W_{b}^{High}} - {\left( {{Nbr} - T_{0} - \Delta_{N}} \right)W_{b}^{Low}}}{2\Delta_{N}},{{{{if}\mspace{14mu} T_{0}} - \Delta_{N}} < {Nbr} < {T_{0} + \Delta_{N}}}} \\ {W_{b}^{High},{{{if}\mspace{14mu}{Nbr}} \geq {T_{0} + \Delta_{N}}}} \end{matrix} \right.} & (20) \end{matrix}$

The high-brightness outdoor weight W_(b) ^(High) may be calculated based on two other outdoor weights W_(b) ^(N) and W_(b) ^(S) according to equation (21) below. W _(b) ^(High)=min(W _(b) ^(N) ,W _(b) ^(S))  (21)

The outdoor weight W_(b) ^(N) is a normalized brightness-based outdoor weight function which may be calculated with the use of a normalized brightness ramp δ_(N). The normalized brightness ramp δ_(N) is defined as a transition zone between high-brightness and low-brightness indoor-outdoor detectors. The value of the normalized brightness ramp δ_(N) is defined using scatter plot 700 of the sensor data after Segments BorderL and BorderR are adjusted. For example, δ_(N) may be defined as the width of a normalized brightness pass around T₀ preventing high-brightness indoor-outdoor detector from being unstable for stochastic deviations of the normalized brightness around value T₀, The outdoor weight W_(b) ^(N) may be calculated according to equation (22) below.

$\begin{matrix} {W_{b}^{N} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} {0,{{{if}\mspace{14mu}{Nbr}} \leq {T_{0} - \delta_{N}}}} \\ {{128 + {128\frac{\left( {{Nbr} - T_{0}} \right)}{\delta_{N}}}},{{{{if}\mspace{14mu} T_{0}} - \delta} < {Nbr} < {T_{0} + \delta_{N}}}} \\ {256,{{{if}\mspace{14mu}{Nbr}} \geq {T_{0} + \delta_{N}}}} \end{matrix} \right.} & (22) \end{matrix}$

The outdoor weight W_(b) ^(S) is based on the segments used in the high-brightness IOD 700 which may be calculated based on an outdoor weight corresponding to the left segment W_(b) ^(L), and an outdoor weight corresponding to the right segment W_(b) ^(R), with the use of a segment ramp δ_(S). The segment ramp δ_(S) is selected to avoid oscillations of the indoor-outdoor detector around the BorderL and BorderR borders. The value of segment ramp δ_(S) is selected using the scatter plot 700 of the sensor data according to a user's preferences. The segment ramp δ_(S) is defined as chromaticity difference values ΔRB preventing the high-brightness indoor-outdoor detector from being unstable for stochastic deviations in the vicinity of the BorderL and BorderR segments. The outdoor weight W_(b) ^(S) may be calculated according to equation (23) below. W _(b) ^(S)=min(W _(b) ^(L) ,W _(b) ^(R))  (23)

The outdoor weight for the left segment W_(b) ^(L) may be calculated according to equation (24) below.

$\begin{matrix} {W_{b}^{L} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} {0,{{{if}\mspace{14mu}\Delta\;{RB}} \leq {{\Delta\;{RB}_{0}} - \delta_{S}}}} \\ {{128 + {128\frac{\left( {{\Delta\;{RB}} - {\Delta\;{RB}_{0}}} \right)}{\delta_{S}}}},{{{{if}\mspace{14mu}\Delta\;{RB}_{0}} - \delta_{S}} < {\Delta\;{RB}} < {{\Delta\;{RB}_{0}} + \delta_{S}}}} \\ {256,{{{if}\mspace{14mu}\Delta\;{RB}} \geq {{\Delta\;{RB}_{0}} + \delta_{S}}}} \end{matrix} \right.} & (24) \end{matrix}$

The chromacity difference value ΔRB₀ is defined by equation (25) below.

$\begin{matrix} {{\Delta\;{RB}_{0}} = \frac{{\Delta\;{{RB}^{U}\left( {{Nbr} - {Nbr}^{D}} \right)}} - {\Delta\;{{RB}^{D}\left( {{Nbr} - {Nbr}^{U}} \right)}}}{{Nbr}^{U} - {Nbr}^{D}}} & (25) \end{matrix}$

Referring to equation (26), ΔRB^(D) and ΔRB^(U) may be chromacity difference ΔRB values correspondent to horizontal normalized brightness borders Nbr^(D) and Nbr^(U). Horizontal normalized brightness borders Nbr^(D) and Nbr^(U) are vertical segment limits for the segments BorderL and BorderR. Horizontal normalized brightness borders Nbr^(D) and Nbr^(U) are tuned along with BorderL and BorderR.

The outdoor weight for the left segment W_(b) ^(L) may be calculated according to equation (27) below.

$\begin{matrix} {W_{b}^{R} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} {0,{{{if}\mspace{14mu}\Delta\;{RB}} \geq {{\Delta\;{RB}_{0}} - \delta_{S}}}} \\ {{128 - {128\frac{\left( {{\Delta\;{RB}} - {\Delta\;{RB}_{0}}} \right)}{\delta_{S}}}},{{{{if}\mspace{14mu}\Delta\;{RB}_{0}} - \delta} < {\Delta\;{RB}} < {{\Delta\;{RB}_{0}} + \delta_{S}}}} \\ {256,{{{if}\mspace{14mu}\Delta\;{RB}} \leq {{\Delta\;{RB}_{0}} + \delta_{S}}}} \end{matrix} \right.} & (27) \end{matrix}$

The low brightness outdoor weight W_(b) ^(Low) may be calculated according to equation (28) below.

$\begin{matrix} {W_{b}^{Low} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} {0,{{{if}\mspace{14mu} F} \leq {F_{0} - \Delta_{F}}}} \\ {{256\frac{\left( {F - F_{0}} \right)}{2\Delta_{F}}},{{{{if}\mspace{14mu} F_{0}} - \Delta_{F}} < F < {F_{0} + \Delta_{F}}}} \\ {256,{{{if}\mspace{14mu} F} \geq {F_{0} + \Delta_{F}}}} \end{matrix} \right.} & (28) \end{matrix}$

The offset of gentle boosting classifier F₀ is intended to shift indoor error rate such that the indoor error rate is lower than the outdoor error rate since erroneously classifying image data as indoor image data harms the image more than erroneously classifying the image data as outdoor image data. The offset of gentle boosting classifier F₀ value is selected using receiver operator curves of trained gentle boosting classifier. For Example, FIG. 12 illustrates error percentage versus a shift in the gentle boosting classifier offset F for indoor images 1210 and outdoor images 1220. FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which gentle boosting classifier offset F₀ being chosen such that the error rate for indoor images is 2%.

The low brightness indoor-outdoor detector ramp Δ_(F) is selected from a user's preferences to provide smooth transition between indoor and outdoor scenes.

Next, image signal processing based on the outdoor weight in accordance with example embodiments will be discussed.

Performing Image Processing Based on Outdoor Weight

Once the outdoor weight W_(b) is determined, the outdoor weight W_(b) may be used to affect the image processing of the subject image.

For example, the CPU/controller 250 may be used to control the operation of the AWB unit 210 by providing the AWB unit 210 with a corrected IP, IP′, based on the outdoor weight W_(b). The corrected illumination point, IP′ may be calculated according to equation (29) below.

$\begin{matrix} {{IP}^{\prime} = \frac{{W_{b}{{IP}({outdoor})}} + {\left( {256 - W_{b}} \right){{IP}({indoor})}}}{256}} & (29) \end{matrix}$

Referring to equation (29), the indoor IP and the outdoor IP may be calculated for the GP of the indoor gray zone 1 and the outdoor gray zone 2, respectively, as depicted in the gray zone gamut illustrated in FIG. 5.

As another example, the CPU/controller 250 may be used to control the operation of the CCM unit 220 by providing the CCM unit 220 with a corrected CCM, CCM′, based on the outdoor weight W_(b). The corrected color correction matrix, CCM′ may be calculated according to equation (30) below.

$\begin{matrix} {{CCM}^{\prime} = \frac{{W_{b}{{CCM}({outdoor})}} + {\left( {256 - W_{b}} \right){{CCM}({indoor})}}}{256}} & (30) \end{matrix}$

Referring to equation (30), the values CCM(outdoor) and CCM(indoor) may represent color correction matrices configured for outdoor and indoor conditions, respectively.

As yet another example, the CPU/controller 250 may be used to control the operation of the gamma correction unit 230 the gamma correction unit 230 with a corrected gamma value, γ′, based on the outdoor weight W_(b). The corrected gamma value, γ′ may be calculated according to equation (31) below.

$\begin{matrix} {\gamma^{\prime} = \frac{{W_{b}{\gamma({outdoor})}} + {\left( {256 - W_{b}} \right){\gamma({indoor})}}}{256}} & (31) \end{matrix}$

Referring to equation (31), the values γ (outdoor) and γ (indoor) may represent gamma correction values associated with for outdoor and indoor conditions, respectively.

As yet another example, the CPU/controller 250 may be used to control the operation of the chromatic aberrations corrector 240 by providing the chromatic aberrations corrector 240 with a corrected array of aberration corrector parameters, A′ based on the outdoor weight W_(b). The corrected array of aberration corrector parameters, A′ may be calculated according to equation (32) below.

$\begin{matrix} {A^{\prime} = \frac{{W_{b}{A({outdoor})}} + {\left( {256 - W_{b}} \right){A({indoor})}}}{256}} & (32) \end{matrix}$

Referring to equation (32), the values A(outdoor) and A(indoor) may represent aberration corrector parameter arrays configured for outdoor and indoor conditions, respectively.

According to example embodiments, an outdoor weight may be calculated based on the high-brightness and low brightness IODs. Further, the outdoor weight may be used to correct various image processing parameters which may result in improved image quality.

Example embodiments having thus been described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the intended spirit and scope of example embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. An indoor-outdoor detection method, the method comprising: constructing a first indoor-outdoor detector; constructing a second indoor-outdoor detector; determining a normalized brightness of a subject image; generating a comparison result based on the determined normalized brightness and a threshold brightness value; selecting one of the first detector or the second detector, based on the comparison result; applying the selected detector to the subject image to generate a detection result; and performing image signal processing on the subject image based on the detection result, wherein selecting one of the first detector and the second detector includes selecting the first detector if the normalized brightness of the subject image exceeds the threshold brightness value and selecting the second detector if the normalized brightness of the subject image is less than or equal to the threshold brightness value, the first indoor-outdoor detector being a high brightness indoor-outdoor detector, the second indoor-outdoor detector being a low brightness indoor-outdoor detector.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining image statistics for each of a plurality of training images, the determined image statistics including whether each training image is an indoor image or an outdoor image, a normalized brightness of each training image, a first illumination point of each training image, and a second illumination point of each training image.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein constructing the first indoor-outdoor detector includes constructing a training image scatter plot by determining, for each of the plurality of training images, a difference between first and second chromatic values based on the second illumination point of the training image, and plotting each of the plurality of training images on the training image scatter plot based on the calculated difference value and the normalized brightness of each training image.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein applying the first indoor-outdoor detector includes determining a normalized brightness of the subject image; determining a first illumination point of the subject image and a second illumination point for the subject image, and determining a difference between third and fourth chromatic values of the subject image based on the second illumination point of the subject image.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein generating the detection result includes generating the detection result based on comparing the normalized brightness value and the difference value of the subject image with the training images plotted on the training image scatter plot.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the third and fourth chromatic values are a red chromatic value and blue chromatic value, respectively.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second chromatic values are a red chromatic value and blue chromatic value, respectively.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein constructing the second indoor-outdoor detector includes constructing a classifier by training the classifier based on the determined image statistics of each of the plurality of training images.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determined image statistics further include, for each of the plurality of training images, a plurality of gray points of the training image, a gamut height of the training image, and a gamut width of the training image.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein applying the second indoor-outdoor detector includes determining image statistics of the subject image, applying the classifier to the image statistics of the subject image, and generating an output from the classifier based on the image statistics of the subject image.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein generating the detection result includes generating the detection result indicating that the subject image is an indoor image if the output of the classifier is negative, and generating the detection result indicating the subject image is an outdoor image if the output of the classifier is positive.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein performing the image signal processing on the subject image includes determining an outdoor weight value based on the output of the classifier.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein performing the image signal processing on the subject image further includes performing, based on the outdoor weight value, at least one of auto white balancing, color correction matrix formation, gamma correction, and chromatic aberrations correction. 